Hello & Welcome

Gifted & Lit

We are a culturally specific organization that provides educational resources and family engagement programs that resonate with underserved and at-risk youth. Our programs teach, inspire, and support growth and development.

Mission

Gifted & Lit Is A Non-Profit 501(C)(3) Organization.

Gifted & Lit’s mission is to  provide culturally responsive learning solutions and family engagement programs that resonate with underserved and at-risk students. Our programs teach, inspire, and support growth and development. Our donors and partners make this possible. Join us, in helping improve student’s lives.

Mission

Gifted & Lit Is A Non-Profit 501(C)(3) Organization.

Gifted & Lit’s mission is to remix education by providing culturally responsive learning solutions, dispelling achievement barriers, and increasing access to critical supplies learners need to thrive. We provide educational resources and mentorship programs that resonate with underserved and at-risk students. Our programs teach, inspire, and support growth and development. Our donors and partners make this possible. Join us, in helping improve student’s lives.

Gifted & Lit

About The Founder

Due to the demand for culturally responsive solutions, Derek Collins created a culturally specific organization to provide responsive learning solutions, critical supplies, and family engagement programs that resonate with underserved and at-risk youth and families.

Growing up in Bakersfield California, Derek Collins was acutely aware of his status as part of a very small minority of African American residents. In his neighborhood, Derek saw peers who looked like him making poor decisions and sometimes paying with their lives, but he chose a different path.
A good student who valued learning, Derek chose to attend Clark Atlanta University — an historic Black university (HBCU) —
Where he enjoyed finally being a part of an ethnic majority as he earned a Bachelor’s of Psychology. As an undergraduate, he had an African American teacher for the first time, and it left an impression. From there, he pursued a Master’s degree in Education from Central Michigan University, specializing in curriculum and instruction.
Programming & Services

Program Activities

One of the keys to breaking down achievement barriers is providing culturally–responsive, engaging educational programming that inspires and uplifts students. Using Hip-Hop and audio–visual media is a way to invite students into learning that they can relate to and enjoy.
Health and Wellness Program

Gifted & Fit promotes healthy self-esteem, physical fitness, and social-emotional learning

Resource Distribution

Delivers digital educational content to children and parents immediately through downloads

Financial Literacy Program

Covering everything from financial psychology to understanding credit, budgeting, and investing

Youth Mentorship

A 12-week program structured around serving teenagers in grades 9–12

Financially Lit

Our Learning Resources

The Financially Lit curriculum encourages children to create positive financial habits and relationships with money. This curriculum covers the following 5 areas:

Get In Touch With Us

We provide educational resources and family engagement programs for at-risk youth